Cat Stats: New Orleans II

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Cat Stats: New Orleans II
December 27, 2006
Eric Fiddleman special to Panthers.com
2006 TO DATE
* New Orleans ranks first in the NFL in total offense, gaining 397.8 yards per game, and first in passing offense, averaging 284.5 yards ...

* New Orleans ranks first in the NFL in total offense, gaining 397.8 yards per game, and first in passing offense, averaging 284.5 yards per contest. Also, the Saints defense did not allow the New York Giants to take a snap in New Orleans territory during last weekÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s game.

* Carolina has allowed just 22 points in the first quarter all season, fewest in the NFL. They are second in the NFC with 284 points allowed.

* Last weekÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s 10-3 victory over Atlanta marked the eighth time in team history the Panthers have held an opponent to three points or less. Two of the other games occurred against New Orleans. The Panthers beat the Saints, 20-3, on 10/22/95, and 13-0, on 10/19/97.

* New Orleans did not allow the New York Giants to take a snap in Saints territory during last weekÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s game.

* Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Panthers signal caller Chris Weinke have two of the four highest single-game passing yardage totals in the NFL this season. Brees threw for an NFL-high 510 yards versus Cincinnati (11/19/06), while Weinke totaled 423 yards against the New York Giants (12/10/06).

* All four NFC South teams have won a division title during the past four seasons. Carolina won in 2003, Atlanta in 2004, Tampa Bay in 2005 and New Orleans has clinched the division this season.

* The Panthers have recovered just seven fumbles this season. Only Jacksonville (three), Oakland (five) and Washington (six) have recovered fewer. Overall, Carolina has 20 take-aways, fifth fewest in the League.

* Jason Baker is third in the League with a 45.5-yard punting average. His 38.6-yard net average ranks sixth in the League.

LOOKING BACK

* Three members of the Panthers 10-Year Anniversary Team were signed as free agents from New Orleans; linebacker Sam Mills, tight end Wesley Walls and quarterback Jake Delhomme.

* Sam Mills is the only individual honored by both franchises. He is a member of the Saints Hall of Fame AND the Panthers Hall of Honor.

* In the last four meetings against New Orleans, Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has 38 catches for 410 yards and four touchdowns (three receiving, one rushing).

* The Panthers single-game rushing record was set by Stephen Davis with 178 yards at New Orleans (10/26/03).

* Each of these teams has played spoiler to the otherÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s season in the final game as the Panthers knocked the Saints out of playoff contention with a 10-6 win in the final week at New Orleans (12/29/02), while New Orleans returned the favor with a 21-18 victory at Carolina (1/2/05) that prevented the Panthers from qualifying for the postseason.

* The Panthers record for most rushing (36) and combined (42) attempts was set by Nick Goings at New Orleans (12/5/04) while the records in the same categories by opponents against the Panthers are held by former Saints running back Ricky Williams, with 38 carries and 41 combined attempts (10/15/00).

* The longest field goal ever made versus the Panthers (56 yards by Doug Brien 9/13/98 as well as the longest punt (69 yards by Mitch Berger 12/18/05) both were accomplished by New Orleans specialists.

LOOKING AHEAD

* The Panthers wins and losses have come in groups this season (lose two, win four, lose two, win two, lose four) and they now seek another two-game winning streak.

* Running back DeShaun Foster can break Tshimanga BiakabutukaÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s team mark for career rushing yards by gaining 150 yards Sunday at New Orleans. Foster has 2,381 yards on 585 carries for a 4.1-yard average. Biakabutuka had 2,530 yards on 611 carries for a 4.1-yard average. BiakabutukaÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s best single-game performance (142 yards versus Washington, 10/3/99) ranks 12th in team history, while Foster has two of the top four single-game totals.

* The Panthers, ranked ninth in total defense, are vying to finish in the top 10 in that category for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Pittsburgh (10th) is vying for five in a row, while Baltimore first), Miami (third), and Tampa Bay (17th) are seeking to join the Panthers by making it four of the last five.

* Carolina is ranked 22nd offensively. They have finished higher than 20th just three times in team history (sixth in 1999, 16th in 2003, and 13th in 2004).

* With two sacks Sunday, defensive end Julius Peppers can tie the team single-season record. Peppers has 13 sacks, and the team record of 15 was set by Kevin Greene in 1998.